Explosive Passion (2 page)

T
he fire crackled, sending sparks up the chimney and heat through the room. Wynn stood in front of it with her hands outstretched, trying to chase the chill from her bones. The short walk from the car had frozen her to the bone. She had changed into her jeans but the only sweater she brought with her did very little to ease her discomfort.

For a day that had been so perfect this was a dramatic change. Going from a picture-perfect wedding to this abandoned cabin with a man she barely knew but lusted after. Before Ace and Gwen began planning their wedding, Wynn had only met Boom twice. In the last few weeks, they saw each other more regularly but for all purposes, he was still a stranger to her. A handsome stranger, and if he weren’t her brother’s best friend and a SEAL she might want to get to know him better. Naked better, that was.

The little tease of his hand around her waist as they made their way from the car only heated the fire within her. She wanted more of his gentle touch, to feel his hands on the most intimate parts of her body.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. She couldn’t afford to think like that, especially not alone with him in a tiny cabin. It was too romantic with the glow of the fire and the wind and rain beating against the walls.

Boom came to stand next to her in front of the fire. “Here, this should warm you.” He offered her a steaming cup of coffee.

“Where did you get this?”

“The box of stuff I carried from car.” He took a sip from his own mug. “It was a few left over things from the wedding that your mom asked me to bring back. Coffee, a container of berries, some cookies, and left over favors.”

“Great, we have coffee and cookies to survive on.”

“We’re not going to be here long enough to worry about needing food to survive.” He sat the coffee on the mantel.

“How do you figure? There’s no phone here, the car is dead; with this storm, how are we going to get out of here?” Desperation pitched her voice higher.

“Shhh…” He touched her shoulder. When she didn’t move away, he pulled her into a hug. “I’ll get us out of here. First light I’ll set out for a phone.”

“It could be miles away.”

“I’ve gone longer in training, I’ll make it wherever the phone is. We’ve just got to wait until morning. We’re safe and warm here.” His hand ran along her shoulder, drawing small circles against the fabric of her sweater. “I’ll get you out of this mess and everything will be fine.”

Her blood hot from his touch, she forced her gaze out the window, trying to cool her thoughts with the impending storm. Part of her wanted to press herself tighter against his ever-so-toned body, only to stop as thoughts of his career pushed their way into her mind.

Having her brother risk life and limb as a SEAL was enough; she sure didn’t want her man doing it. She couldn’t understand how Gwen was willing to stand by and have Ace risk everything, especially now that there was a child on its way. Her brother would be a father in less than two months. She thought maybe he’d leave the SEALs when his commitment was up and finally get a safe job, only to find out he had no intention of leaving his assignment and would re-up at the end of the year. What kind of life was that for Gwen and the baby? She shook her head. It wasn’t a life she’d want. She wanted a man that would be there by her side.

He turned toward her, taking the coffee from her, setting it aside. She stood there, not sure what to do as his hand slid down her arm. His very touch was mesmerizing, keeping her locked in a trance watching him. It was that electricity that wouldn’t let her go even if she wanted it to.

“I’m going to kiss you.” Without giving her a moment to hesitate, he leaned into her and claimed
her lips with his own. The spiciness from the coffee lingered on his lips, mixing with her vanilla lip-gloss. He used his tongue to gently ease her mouth open, giving him entrance and allowing their tongues to dance together. She leaned closer, her hand traveling up his chest; he kissed her one final time before pulling back.

When she finally regained herself, she stepped out of his embrace. “We shouldn’t have done that.”

“Why not?”

“Which reason should I give you, because I have a few?” When he didn’t answer, she continued. “You’re a SEAL, and I never get involved with military men. Not to mention Ace would have a fit; you’re his best friend.”

“Shouldn’t that be a good thing? Then he’d know his baby sister was in good hands.”

“I don’t get involved with military men,” she repeated, more determined than before. Only this time, she wasn’t sure if she was trying to convince him or herself.

“Make an exception and it won’t be something you regret.” He advanced toward her, closing the distance she had put between them only seconds before. “We’re here together for a reason.”

“Yeah, because the car broke down,” she reminded him.

“I’ve always believed things happen for a reason.” He laid a hand on her forearm. “Rental cars go through inspections every time they come in. I didn’t see a leak when I pulled it from the hotel parking lot. For it to have seized up the engine as it did means there’s no oil left in the whole damn thing, yet it made it to the hotel just fine yesterday.”

“Are you saying someone did this to get us stranded together? They could have got us killed.”

He shook his head. “Not someone, but maybe a something. A master plan, a God, whatever you believe.”

“After everything you’ve seen, how can you believe there’s something beyond what we can see with the naked eye?”

“How can I not? I’ve been in positions I never thought I’d make it out of, yet somehow I did. I believe there’s been something that has kept me and the rest of the team safe. Otherwise I wouldn’t still be here.”

Unable to fathom that he believed in a higher being, she took a step back and perched herself on the armrest of the sofa. “You’re the team’s demolition expert; I’ve heard stories of things blowing up all around you, including IED’s, and still you come away untouched.”

“That’s why I believe.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I’ve seen so many lose a body part or worse, their lives because of IED’s, yet I’ve survived. There has to be a reason that I’m still here; some great purpose.”

“Right there is the reason I don’t get involved with military men.” He stared at her as if he didn’t understand. “There’s too much risk involved with your job. It’s bad enough worrying about Ace and Lucky every time they’re deployed. I don’t need another man in my life to worry about.”

“So you’d rather play it safe and not love?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Safe isn’t a bad thing, and as for love I’m open to it for someone with a safe job. You’re not safe.” She dragged her hand through her hair sprayed thick hair, tugging the blonde locks away from her face.

“Fine, not long-term. What about tonight?”

“Tonight.” The word came out on a whisper. In that moment to have even just one night with him sounded like paradise. It would be the first time she lived on the edge instead of just playing things by the book. Designing the specialty stuff she carried in her little boutique just off the boardwalk took all her time. There was nothing left over for a relationship, leaving her lonely.

B
oom couldn’t keep the smirk off his face. Since he began spending time with her during the wedding planning, he couldn’t keep his thoughts off her. This one night he was going to make it turn into much more. It might be his only shot with her and he wasn’t going to let it slip past. If he was going to convince her that this could work, he was going to have a fight on his hands; one that might be the worst he’d ever experienced in all his years in the military. Though he had a feeling Wynn Diamond was a woman worth fighting for.

“I’ve found blankets in the closet; I’ll make us a bed in front of the fire and we’ll open the bottle of wine I brought.” He winked at her before strolling toward where he found the blankets.

“I’ll get the wine.”

“It’s on the counter.” He tipped his head to the other side of the cabin, where a bar divided the kitchen and living room. While she went for the wine he went down the short hallway that led to the only bedroom and bathroom.

Minutes later, he had a makeshift bed spread out before the fire. With no heat besides what came from the fireplace, they had no other option but to make a bed on the floor if they wanted to stay warm. With all the blankets he could find, and pillows from the bed spread out he turned back to her.

“Last chance to change your mind.” There would be no going back from this. She was going to be his.

“I want you…even if it’s only for one night.” She handed him the glass of wine before taking a sip out of her own glass.

Not wanting to spoil the mood, he took a sip of his wine before setting it aside and keeping quiet. There was no reason to argue about the one night comment now.
“You’re beautiful. Come.” He pulled her toward the fireplace.

They eased down onto the blankets and he pressed his lips to hers softly. Letting each new kiss explore a little deeper, until the passion between them ignited like the fire they sat in front of. Their tongues danced together, giving him the taste of the wine on her lips, and the air sizzled around them. There was enough heat between them to warm the place without the fire.

Their time together in this special place was short and he didn’t want to miss a second of it. He broke their kiss to lift her sweater over her head. “You have too many clothes on.”

“You too.” She grabbed the waist of his sweater and pulled it off.

“Lay back.” As she did what he asked, he let his hands slide down her curves until he unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them slowly down her legs. The sexy pale blue panties that matched her bra called to him, he grabbed them with his teeth and pulled them away. Laying her bare sent desire racing through him. No longer able to control himself, he slid the panties off the rest of the way before easing her legs open.

She leaned forward, dragging her hand over his head, fingers sliding over his buzz cut. He pushed her back gently, making her lay flat once again, and pressed his lips to her stomach. He kissed around her bellybutton, grazing his teeth along her tender flesh.
He stroked her thighs with his fingertips, until with every touch she arched into him, demanding more. Nudging her legs further apart, his fingers delved inside her and she met the teasing thrusts eagerly. A demanding moan vibrated through her body. Passion drove his hand harder and faster.

The trail of wicked kisses tingled over the insides of her thighs. He slipped his fingers from her, quickly replacing them with his mouth, while his hands moved to her hips, holding her against him as she wiggled in desire. Tiny nips and gentle licks flicked over her sweet spot, nearly driving her over the edge. “Boom!” Her fingernails dug into his shoulders until he could feel the skin break and blood trickle from the tiny moon shapes.

“I want you…please, Jared!” The way she called out his given name made it more intimate. It had been a very long time since someone called him anything but Boom.

He slid up her body until he hovered over her. With one hand, he unhooked the front clasp of her black lace bra, baring her completely to him. “Damn, you’re beautiful!” He trailed wet, teasing kisses to each of her hard dusky pink nipples. Drawing one into his mouth, he let his tongue circle around it, before grazing his teeth along it and letting it slip from his mouth, moving to the other one.

“Please…” That one simple word, deeply laced with desire, sped his pace.

“Anything for you, Wynn.” He pulled away long enough to shed the rest of his clothes. Her gaze scorched as it swept over him. “Do you like what you see, beautiful?”

“Maybe,” she said coyly.

“Humm, just maybe? Let’s see what we can do about that.” Confidence and cockiness surged through him. He lowered himself, careful to stay just above her.

“Please, I want you now.”

“What’s the rush? We have all night.”

“Then give it to me now, and we can have another round or two later.” There was a twinkle in her eye.

“Mmm, a woman after my own heart.” He placed his hands gently on her thighs, spreading them further, giving him the access that he desired. He teased her sensitive flesh with his fingers before finally sliding himself in to her warm wet core until he filled her completely. A cry of desire and need escaped her lips. Her body arched and she nibbled the side of his neck.

Her moans of pleasure spurred him faster. His hips increased pace, driving forcefully into her with each thrust. Their bodies, bound together, found a rhythm; passion shot through him, made him desperate for release. He fought the ecstasy, fought to hang on and drive her to climax. Digging her nails into his back, she writhed. Their lips met again and again. She screamed against his mouth and he held on for another few seconds, prolonging the beautiful agony until finally reaching release.

He knew he wanted more of her, doubted he would ever get enough. He collapsed next to her, their legs entwined, his energy spent for the moment. She curled her body into his, her hand resting on his chest.

“Looks as though you enjoyed that, beautiful.” He wrapped his arms around her.

“Oh yes.” She lazily ran a hand up and down his chest. “Ready for another round?”

He snickered. “I’m a SEAL; I’m always ready.”